“We’ll be fine.”
I find a bookcase next to the closet. Running my fingers along the spines of the books, I wonder if this is how things might have been if Steph hadn’t aborted our baby. The thought is bittersweet, and I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat.
“Tory time!” Jimmy calls from his bed, kicking his legs with excitement under the covers.
I give him a smile. “Sure, kid.” I pull a random book from the shelf and take a seat on the foot of his bed.
I find Melissa standing on the front porch once Jimmy is fast asleep. It took two stories; the kid was wired.
I touch her shoulder. “Thanks for dinner.” Her hand covers mine and she looks back at me.
“Thanks for everything. Repairing the leak…hanging with Jim Jam. Letting us live here. The job…the freaking car. I’m indebted to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Was just glad I could help.”
“I am sure there is something you must want.”
“Save me a dance at Cupid and MaryAnne’s wedding.”
“What? That’s weeks away.”
I shrug. “You asked what I want.”
“Uno…”
I touch my finger to her lips, silencing her. I stare deeply in her eyes, tempted to kiss her, but not wanting to spoil the tender moment. “I’d also like it if you’d call me Justin.”
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“Okay. I can do that.”
“Good.” We both go quiet.
“I should turn in,” she says wistfully.
“Yeah. I should get gone myself. Need to check in at the club. You dancing tomorrow night?”
Her teeth graze her bottom lip. “Yeah.” Her eyes meet mine and I wonder if she is thinking the same thing I am, because I really want to kiss her right now. She leans forward, and I decide to say fuck it. Grabbing her face, I lean down and press my lips to hers and she moans, fucking moans deep and sexy as her mouth moves with mine.
Chapter 16
—Melissa
I’ve been sneaking around going on dates with Justin for the past three weeks. I hate lying to everyone but I’m not ready for it to be official. Deep down I know there is a part of me who doesn’t want Shawn to find out. Not yet. I know it will hurt him and even though I really don’t owe him the courtesy, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable and force an even bigger divide between him and Justin. They hardly speak as it is. Ever since Shawn made that scene at the Cherry Room.
Justin is on his way over now. I wanted to cancel because I don't have a sitter for Jimmy tonight, but he insisted we just change our plans to include my little man. I wasn’t expecting this...to fall for him so soon, but I really like him. He’s so good with my son, and he is cool about hanging out with him and Jimmy is growing attached to him. It scares me. When I came here I didn't want to meet a man, but Justin is sweet when he wants to be and firm with Jimmy. He gets his way a lot too though. The man spoils him. I’m just scared that it won’t work out and then I will have a crushed little boy with another man he loves ripped out of his life.
Surprisingly he doesn't ask for his dad that often. He did when we first left but as the weeks wear on, he mentions him less and less and I have gotten comfortable in our new life. There has been no sign of the bastard who fathered my son, but I’m not naive enough not to worry that he’ll show up one day when I least expect it wanting his son back.
When that day does come, I only hope Jimmy is big enough to know that I did what was best. That I took us both out of a terrible situation.
I hear a car door shut and Justin's boots as his comes up the porch steps. Jimmy hears him too and runs to open the door.
“Hey, bud,” I hear his husky voice and I melt at the sound. His eyes meet mine. “Hey, beautiful.” He crosses the room with Jimmy hanging onto his leg and brings his lips down on mine.
“Yuck. Thas distusting,” Jimmy says and punches Justin in the stomach.
“Hey!” I yell at him and he takes off running through the house to hide.